Some Background ...
"Tech Nation" - and all Tech Nation programming, which includes "Five Minutes"
weekly commentary, the weekly "BioTech Nation" segment, and the two-minute daily "Tech Nation" modules
- is produced and distributed to non-profit public radio stations, as
well as to individuals.
Its reach is global, airing on some
200 stations in the US with four additional airings each week nationwide on NPR's two SIRIUS Satellite
Radio Channels. Internationally, this programming is heard in 133 countries via Armed Forces
International and on the Internet - both by direct streaming and
automatic subscriptions of "podcasting."
Since Tech Nation Media produces this
programming in the public interest, it is our policy to provide
it at no charge. That means there is no charge to the non-profit public
radio stations and to National Public Radio, as well as no charge to individuals
for their personal use.
We keep our budgets to a minimum, and
gratefully accept the donations of individuals in order to
meet basic operating costs, and then to expand operations, as donations permit.
Here are the answers to several frequently asked questions ...
Is my
donation tax deductible?
Yes! After you donate, we'll send you an
email, and give you instructions on obtaining the documentation for your tax records. Otherwise, this is a
completely anonymous donation. Your personal information will not be shared, you will not be
contacted to contribute again, nor will you be asked to increase your donation at a later
date. We prefer that you give when you have a mind to, and that you contribute
according to the amounts you would like to give.
How will my donation be
used? Your donation will go to paying the direct
costs for the entire family of Tech Nation programming. These
costs include studio rental, recording engineers, charges for
the National Public Radio Content Depot, broadcast insurance,
telephones, office space, supplies and equipment, web server
and hosting fees, staff attendance at several essential
conferences including the annual Public Radio Program
Directors Conference and the Biotechnology Industry
Organization's international conference, and travel to
speaking engagements to support non-profit organizations. You
should also know that Tech Nation senior staff positions are
voluntary, and their services are paid only after essential
operating costs are covered. As available, your donations
go to compensating these people at industry standard rates.
Excess funds are used for such efforts as expanding
distribution and developing new programming in the areas of
technology and science.
I gave to my local station - doesn't Tech
Nation get part of my pledge? Your donation
goes directly to your local station, but
no, we do not receive funds from your pledge. It is true
that a substantial portion
of your pledge pays for other programs which you enjoy listening to. These programs charge your local stations according to any number of measures - from the number of listeners in teh audience to simply
a flat fee. We at Tech Nation choose not to charge
local stations, believing that the funds raised within
a community should stay within that community. We hope you will
continue to support your local public broadcasting stations.
They directly support the community in which you live, and the
costs of running these stations are significant. A
donation to Tech Nation is simply a vote in favor of our
specific programming, as well as the need to address the
issues of technology and science in our society.
How do I donate? All you need to do
is click below. Select either PayPal or the Amazon honor
system. If you're already signed up with one, that's probably
your best bet.
Let me just say that your donations mean a lot to
all of us here at Tech Nation. By this definitive gesture,
you tell us that you like what you hear (whether you
always agree, or not!), that you believe that discussions about
technology and science are important for us as a society, and
that the work that we do here at Tech Nation is important.
Thank you for your vote of confidence ... Moira
Moira A. Gunn, PhD
Host,
Tech Nation and BioTech Nation
donate@technation.com
PayPal can be the easiest ...
